Your local transport partnership

Community Transport

Community Transport is for anyone of any age who does not have regular access to other forms of transport.
Community Transport is made up of not for profit organisations; all fares are used to support the service. These organisations offer a friendly door to door service, providing transport for those who do not have their own access to transport. This includes young people, the elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers.
Our four transport partners provide complete coverage across the district. Please see their individual pages for more information.

There are three forms of community transport which operate in the Forest of Dean:Dial-a-Ride – small/medium vehicles operating between pick-up and drop-off locations according to passengers needsVoluntary Car Drivers – as the name suggests these are volunteers who use their own cars to drive people to and from their appointments, events, shops etc. Volunteer car drivers charge for mileage, not their timeCommunity Transport Operated Bus Routes – these operate like an ordinary bus service; just turn up at the relevant bus stop as shown in the timetables

Who is Forest Routes?
The Forest of Dean Community Transport Partnership was set up in 2010, with the District Council acting as the accountable body. Membership is made up of the following organisations: Bream Voluntary Car Service, Lydcare, Lydney Dial a Ride, Newent Dial a Ride, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.
The Lottery funded project aims to reduce the social and physical isolation of older, vulnerable and young people living in the Forest of Dean through providing better information, sharing knowledge and developing relationships.

What does the partnership aim to achieve?
At the end of the five year programme the aim is that rurally isolated older and vulnerable people report that they feel less isolated and more able to access social activities and health services through the provision of community transport.
We want young people in our rural area to be more independent and able to get to a variety of activities outside of school/training by using community transport.
The community is encouraged to get involved in all aspects of running the project, improving connections in their community, volunteering to drive a community transport vehicle, volunteering to man the booking system, taking part in developing branding and marketing materials. People should feel empowered to get involved in whatever capacity they feel able.